LO C A L
N EWS
December 12–18, 2014 YO U
C A N
U S E
Mariners 936 Sea Scouts Excel in Competition PAGE 5
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 50
Dive In for a Taste of Citizen Science
Ocean Institute expansion will bring more ‘undersea’ fun and education for all ages, open to the public seven days a week E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 6 www.danapointtimes.com
This courtesy rendering shows the Ocean Institute lobby as it will appear after being transformed into a three-story “underwater” kelp forest as part of the institute’s upcoming expansion.
Marine Convicted in Fatal 2012 Golden Lantern Crash EYE ON DP/PAGE 3
Del Prado Business Spotlight: Blue Lantern Inn DP LIVING/PAGE 18
Underrated Dolphins Wrestling Upsets Ranked Tritons SPORTS/PAGE 15
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DP EYE ON DP Dana Point
LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING
FIND OUT MORE: For more information and current weather conditions visit www.noaa.gov, or call 858.675.8700. —Jacqueline DeMarco
regard to access available to persons with disabilities to the funicular (inclined elevator) at Strand Vista Park. The policy states that during the winter months, when the funicular is closed during weekdays, persons with disabilities wishing to use it may call the city and request that it be turned on. “This policy has existed since the funicular started operating in early 2010, but by adopting the resolution we have made it clear that it is a policy that may only be changed by the City Council and staff can’t just willy-nilly stop doing it. Although, there had been no intention to do that in any event,” said Patrick Munoz, city attorney. The resolution made it onto the council meeting agenda after the city became involved in some litigation with regard to disabled access to the beach and the boardwalk. “An allegation was made that the hours of operation of the funicular are a problem and that our existing policy would fix that problem but we haven’t done a good enough job of informing the public of that policy,” Munoz said. “Our experience has been that the posted phone number has been effective, that members of the public have called and that we have been able to provide access as requested. We are happy to provide more clarification on the program and that’s what the resolution accomplishes.” Strand Vista Park and Dana Strand Beach are both operated by the County of Orange. The funicular was funded, built and is operated by the city of Dana Point. The county facilities, the parking lot and stairs, go down to a landing, also owned by the county which connects to a county access easement to the beach via a wooden boardwalk connected to the concrete trail running along the revetment. “The city’s funicular was never intended specifically to be a disabled access to the beach, but as it turns out it can be used for that purpose to get some people with disabilities to the landing,” Munoz said. “In essence it provides and additional amount of access to the county facilities.” Munoz likened the city’s funicular service to a city-run bus service picking up at a county parking lot and dropping off at a county beach. “We feel as though the hours of operation are fine and comply with the law, especially when you consider that we have this policy in place,” he said.
City Clarifies Off-hours Funicular Operations
WHAT’S NEXT: The resolution also required the addition of more signage explaining the policy as an option to disabled visitors.—Andrea Swayne
greater than .08 percent. Jared Ray Hale, 27, faces 12 years in prison as a result of the conviction. Hale and his three passengers, Jeremiah Callahan, Christopher Arzola and Jason Chleborad, had been drinking at Hennessey’s Tavern on Feb. 13, 2012 and left at approximately 2 a.m. the morning of Feb. 14. When Hale began heading north on Golden Lantern, he lost control of his vehicle, crossed the median and hit a tree. Calalhan and Arzola were pronounced dead at the scene while Chleborad died at a hospital hours later. Hale suffered brain trauma and a broken arm. When his blood alcohol was taken after the crash, it registered .16, twice the legal limit. All four men were stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time of the crash. WHAT’S NEXT: A sentencing hearing has been set for Jan. 30.
The City Council voted Dec. 2 to clarify its policy on allowing persons with disabilities off-hours access to the funicular at Strand Beach. Signage will be installed to better inform the public. Photo: Andrea Swayne
What’s Up With... Five things Dana Point should know this week CUSD Board Swears in New Trustees, Reorganizes THE LATEST: Newly-elected Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees Martha McNicholas, Gila Jones and Lynn Hatton-Hodson were officially sworn into their seats Wednesday, Dec. 10. Hatton-Hodson, who was re-elected last month to a second term, was chosen as the new president of the board. She succeeds John Alpay, who served two consecutive terms as president. Trustee Amy Hanacek was selected as vice president, and McNicholas as clerk. “Thank you to all of our supporters who got us through this election,” Hatton-Hodson said during Monday night’s meeting. “Your support is invaluable.” Alpay, who began his time on the board as clerk, said he enjoyed getting a lot done over the last four years, including hiring new superintendent Kirsten Vital. Hatton-Hodson represents Area 7, which covers Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo and Coto de Caza. McNicholas represents Area 4, which includes parts of Laguna Niguel and Dana Point. Jones represents Area 6, which covers portions of Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano. WHAT’S NEXT: The board’s next regularly Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
FIND OUT MORE: For information on the case, visit www.danapointtimes.com. – JS
scheduled meeting is Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at the CUSD board room, located at 33122 Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano. —Allison Jarrell
Weather and High Surf Advisory Issued
Update on San Clemente Outlet Stores THE LATEST: With the holiday shopping season in full swing and with major progress being made on the Outlets at San Clemente plaza—located on a previously vacant land between El Camino Real/ Coast Highway and Interstate-5, just south of Dana Point—the line-up for the stores at the mall is taking shape. Tenants named in Craig Realty literature include the following: Aerosoles, Asics, Calvin Klein, Carter’s, Chico’s, Clarks Bostonian, Cole Haan, Converse, Fossil, Guess Factory Store, Hanes Brands, Kay Jewelers, Levi’s Outlet Store, Luggage Factory, Nike, OshKosh B’gosh, Papaya, Pearl Izumi, Perfumania, Planet Beauty, Puma, Quiksilver, Skechers, Sun Diego, Sunglass Hut, Swarovski, Tilly’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, Vans and White House|Black Market. WHAT’S NEXT: The mall is currently slated to be open in time for the 2015 holiday season. – Jim Shilander
Marine Convicted in Fatal 2012 Crash THE LATEST: A former Marine who crashed his car and killed three passengers, all fellow Marines, in Dana Point in February 2012, was convicted Wednesday of causing bodily injury while driving under the influence, and causing bodily injury with a blood alcohol concentration
THE LATEST: The National Weather Service issued a warning on Wednesday Dec. 10 about high surf advisory expected to last until Saturday, Dec. 13. WHAT’S NEXT: The National Weather Service predicted the arrival of heavy rain and wind would start on Thursday, Dec. 11. The notice prompted officials at the OC Dana Point Harbor to issue a statement recommending that boat owners take the necessary steps to ensure their vessels were ready for the heavy weather. Throughout the weekend high swells are also expected to deliver elevated surf and strong rip currents to west facing beaches. Weather service estimates said waves and surf would increase 12 to 14 feet with higher sets locally. On Friday, Dec. 12 there is 100 percent chance of precipitation and the possibility of a thunderstorm; west wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph, the warning said.
THE LATEST: The City Council on December 2 took action to adopt a resolution which affirms an existing city policy with
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Have a story idea or topic you would like to read about? Send your suggestions to editorial@danapointtimes.com. www.danapointtimes.com
EYE ON DP
DP Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY STEVE SOHANAKI
All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.
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Dana Point Police Services www.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com
Tuesday, December 9 CITIZEN ASSIST Street of the Golden Lantern, 33200 Block (11:48 p.m.) A teen boy from Santa Ana said he fell asleep at a park and woke up in Dana Point but didn’t know how he got here. He told police he didn’t remember falling asleep and that he doesn’t do drugs or alcohol. KEEP THE PEACE Street of the Copper Lantern, 33800 Block (7 p.m.) A woman told police she doesn’t like her husband being home when she comes home from work. She said he had been bothering her all day and keeps saying he’s going to call and have her arrested. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Azores Road, 32200 Block (2:30 p.m.) A man told police a solicitor came to his door and asked him a racist question after he told him he wasn’t interested. DISTURBANCE Dana Point Harbor Drive, 34500 Block (11:05 a.m.) A man who appeared to be homeless was disturbing the peace by pushing a cart and screaming at people. DISTURBANCE Copper Lantern Street, 33800 Block (8:07 a.m.) A man told police his wife hit him and stole his medication because she was an addict. WELFARE CHECK Del Prado, 24500 Block (5:35 a.m.) A woman in her 20s was found passed out in an alley with a beer next to her. The caller said she appeared to be breathing but wouldn’t wake up.
Monday, December 8 DISTURBANCE-FAMILY DISPUTE Alcazar Drive, 34000 Block (9:16 p.m.) A man heard a mother fighting her 19-year-old son and was concerned because he heard a lot of loud banging noises that sounded like someone was being “thrown around.” UNKNOWN TROUBLE Victoria Boulevard/ Camino Capistrano (7:10 p.m.) Four to five people were seen punching and kicking someone while trying to push that person into a dark-colored truck. Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
CITIZEN ASSIST Dana Strand Road/Selva Road (5:13 p.m.) Police received a call about someone who was locked behind the gate on the Headlands Conservation Trail. WELFARE CHECK Copper Lantern Street, 33800 Block (4:57 p.m.) A woman called police from her work after she was involved in a verbal altercation with her husband via telephone. She expressed concern for their baby who she heard crying in the background. WELFARE CHECK Golden Lantern Street, 33300 Block (1:51 p.m.) A school psychologist was evaluating a student and then called a deputy and ran out of the office after the student threatened him.
Forty-eight local youths participated in the Mariners Sea Scouts Southwestern Rendezvous event on Camp Pendleton on the weekend of Dec. 5. Photo: Courtesy
NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF
Mariners 936 Sea Scouts Score High at Southwestern Rendezvous
TRAFFIC HAZARD Stonehill Drive/Selva Road (9:50 a.m.) An unoccupied, silver, twodoor vehicle rolled down the street and crashed into the curb. TRESPASSING Doheny Park Road, 34000 Block (9:33 a.m.) A security guard at Dollar Tree notified police about a bearded homeless man wearing sweat pants who refused to leave when told to do so. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Pacific Coast Highway/Monarch Bay Plaza (5:42 a.m.) A heavy man with white hair and a cane was outside of Starbucks harassing customers. The man had been kicked out before and knew he wasn’t supposed to be back. BRANDISHING A WEAPON Pacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (4:34 a.m.) A man was waving a handgun in a parking lot. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Sea Bright Drive, 33300 Block (2 a.m.) A woman found an unknown man sleeping inside her car on her driveway. INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Pacific Coast Highway/Del Prado (12:36 a.m.) A man was seen lying in the street with a bicycle on top of him. SUSPICIOUS PERSON Del Obispo Street, 34200 Block (12:07 a.m.) Authorities received a call about a woman who was passed out in the Denny’s Restaurant restroom.
Sea Scouts local chapter Mariners 936 attended the Southwestern Rendezvous event on Camp Pendleton on the weekend of Dec. 5. Sea Scouts gathered for three days of competitions in the event that has been held since 1935. The events tested the scouts on maritime skills and leadership abilities in 18 different events, including knot tying, uniform inspection, sailing, swimming, marlinspike skills, drill, a mariners quiz and scuttlebutt. The Mariners 936, which includes members from San Clemente, placed in the top three of all events. The Boatswain’s team was led by Kyle Baldovin. His team scored highly on multiple events and was awarded the prestigious Windjammer trophy, the highest award of the weekend. Mariner team H, led by Rachel Hunter, completed scuttlebutt with the fastest time and was awarded the prized Scuttle-off trophy. Mariners 936 is based out of Dana Point Harbor and offers the opportunity to sail, cruise, compete, and learn maritime skills in a co-ed group for youth 14 to 18 years old. More information is available at www. mariners936.com or by e-mail at info@ mariners936.com.
Sunday, December 7
Community Recycling Event at Dana Hills High
DISTURBANCE-FAMILY DISPUTE Alta Vista Drive, 24500 Block (9:23 p.m.) A man was involved in a verbal altercation with his drunken wife. Page 5
Capistrano Beach businesses, 2nd Hand Treasures and Doheny Clothing Exchange are hosting a holiday open house and boutique on Friday, Dec. 12 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to both shops’ offerings, there will be selections from Arbonne Skin Care, SendOutCards, Chandler Photography, Take Shape for Life and more. “We’ll have lots of gift items, as well as our usual fare of dressers, desks, chandeliers and hundreds of home decor items,” said Helen Mahshi of 2nd Hand Treasures. Doheny Clothing Exchange offers new and gently-used clothing and accessories for men and women. Christmas carolers will entertain and refreshments will be served. 2nd Hand Treasures is located at 34272 Doheny Park Road and can be reached at 949.218.7962 or online at www.2ndhandtreasures.com. Doheny Clothing Exchange is located right next door at 34276 Doheny Park Road. They can be reached at 949.240.4800 or on Facebook. Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more. We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to editorial@danapointtimes.com.
Community Meetings SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
DISTURBANCE-FAMILY DISPUTE Crown Valley Parkway, 32400 Block (11:04 p.m.) A caller told police his 24-year-old brother threw his laptop at him and tried gouging his eyes out after he tried stopping him from yelling at their mom. The brother was smoking a cigarette on the patio and the mom was crying in her room at the time of the call.
Capistrano Beach Businesses Join for Holiday Happening
9 a.m.-11 a.m. Residents can drop off plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the school parking lot for students to collect and sort. Funds collected are distributed by the school’s PTSA for student programs. Future events will be held Jan. 10 and 24, Feb. 7 and 21, March 7 and 21, April 4 and 25, May 16 and 30 and June 6—rain or shine. For more info, email president@dhhsptsa.com. Dana
Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern, www.dhhsptsa.net. DECEMBER 24-JANUARY 1, 2015
City Offices Closed for Holidays
City Hall offices closed. 33282 Golden Lantern, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org. TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015
City Council Meeting
6 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers, 33282 Golden Lantern, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.
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EYE ON DP
Dive Into Ocean Science
Ocean Institute expansion will bring more ‘undersea’ fun and education for all ages BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES
W
isdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”—Albert Einstein “We must become the change we want to see.”—Mahatma Gandhi These two sentiments—like ingredients in a recipe for a nutritious but at the same time delicious meal—aptly describe the mission of the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. As the nonprofit ocean education school embarks on the second phase of their Maddie James Seaside Learning Center expansion, the institute plans to extend its entertaining and engaging brand of sustenance, beyond students to the public at large. It is in the spirit of these quotes that the organization has embarked on a plan to add new exhibits and adopt a schedule that will offer opportunities for discovery, seven days a week. Phase 2, set for completion in spring of 2015, will add a hands-on interpretive center in the lobby and courtyard areas, with engaging displays inviting visitors of all ages to become immersed in local underwater habitats while on dry land, and to participate in citizen science research and experimentation. Funding for the entire project was provided through a combination of funds from a $2.3 million California State Parks grant state parks grant, $1 million from the Coastal Conservancy and $1 million from the Maddie James Foundation. The Ocean Institute’s seaside learning center bears the name of Maddie James, a 5-year-old girl who passed away in 2011. Phase 1 of the Maddie James Seaside learning center was completed in 2013 and includes a 300-foot science landing and the 100-foot historic maritime pier. Dan Stetson, Ocean Institute president said the upcoming completion of the project’s second phase will bring the institute full-circle in its mission. “When the institute opened about 11 years ago, it was originally intended to serve only as a school site,” Stetson said. “We were really surprised when folks started coming here who were not part of the classes, knocking at the doors wondering what was behind them.” The institute responded to that demand by opening to the public on the weekends but found, over time, that even that wasn’t enough, he said. The dock was part of the original plan for the Ocean Institute but budget and permitting requirements meant it had to be cut from the initial construction of the
Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
(Left to right) The Ocean Institute’s Julianne Steers, director of husbandry; Dan Stetson, president; and Kajsa James, vice president of development, take a look at plans for Phase 2 construction of the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center. Photo: Andrea Swayne
Ocean Institute by the Numbers 100,000 The number of students attending educational programs annually, from pre-kindergarten through college as well as some classes offered to retirement communities 500+ The number of volunteers on the Ocean Institute roster, many donating hours nearly equivalent to full-time work. Institute officials expect to need several dozen new volunteers will be needed to fully staff the Phase 2 expansion. 85 Employees working at the Ocean Institute. 10,000-15,000 Current yearly weekend attendance by the public. Yearly visits by the public are expected to double upon completion of Phase 2.
ocean learning center, said Stetson. The upcoming addition of new features, and seven-day-per-week public access, is being designed with safety and flexibility in mind. The new exhibits will be able to be accessed by public visitors while school groups are in attendance in separate areas of the institute. The new hours will also include separate times available to the public for ventures onto the seaside learning center dock while not in use by school students, to engage in activities similar to what students are doing. Such activities will include “citizen science” and research, looking into issues such as water quality or the observation of invasive species and other investigations as the need presents itself and studies of early maritime history and exploration. “These will change as community needs change and be aligned with current scientific environmental studies,” Julianne
This courtesy rendering shows a part of the upcoming transformation of the Ocean Institute lobby into a kelp forest and aquarium.
Steers, director of husbandry, said. “It will give us the chance to invite all of our guests to be scientists for a day.” Adding greater access to the institute’s programs is vital to its mission, she said. “The ocean is really our back yard and if we don’t care for it, someday the resources within it and the enjoyment we get from it may not be there in the same fashion,” Steers said. “How are you supposed to know what to love if you don’t know what’s there?” NEW FEATURES “When taking a look at those we were turning away, we found that a large group are the ‘stroller moms’ with children who are not yet in school and looking for something to do,” said Kajsa James, the Ocean Institute’s vice president of development and Maddie James’ mother. With that in mind, a key part of the expansion will be an oversized tidepool
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playscape representative of the animals and habitat found in local tidepools, she said. “There was also a very strong want, on my part, to recognize the donors of the Maddie James Foundation,” James said. “The foundation has named this tidepool and along the outside wall will be a wave mosaic with tiles displaying donors’ names.” Within the playscape will be models of tidepool organisms, constructed of a sturdy but soft foam, coated with a childfriendly sculpting material and magnified to about 30 to 50 times actual size. “The tidepool will give our pint-sized visitors a look at the true environment,” Steers said. “While they play, it will allow young children to see animals in appropriate zonal regions, or depths, within the tidepool. So they’ll actually be able to do some identification of the different local species and learn about how tides work.” “It’s the ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ version of a tidepool,” James said. “And I hope the children who visit will feel exactly how Maddie felt, to experience the wonder, joy and excitement that my daughter did when she was here.” Phase 2 will also include the transformation of the three-story indoor lobby into a 30-foot “underwater” kelp forest with realistic models of the ocean plants and organisms, and living fish and other animals on display in a large aquarium. The room will be named for the Draper Family Foundation, generous donors to the exhibit. Upon venturing further inside the lobby area, visitors will enter a room representing life in the deep water off of the Southern California coast. Outside, along with the playscape, will be a section devoted to the study of microfossils, ocean chemistry and the growing threat of ocean acidification. This exhibit, dubbed Science at Sea, will be supported by the Sand Dollar Guild, a fundraising organization formed to benefit the institute. All of the new exhibits will include a number of hands-on elements—flip doors, interpretive panels, games and pop-up experiments—meant to engage visitors in learning about the ecological health of the ocean environment and hopefully prompt ocean advocacy. “We’re really keeping the focus local and delving into some of the issues and concerns that are present at the forefront of ocean health, locally as well as worldwide,” Steers said. As Phase 2 gets underway, additional funding needs and naming opportunities will continue,” Stetson said. The Massen Greene Foundation and the Chambers family, founding donors of a new feature called the Sea of Stars, have funded the addition of a sand blasted wayfinding path of sea stars—the institute’s logo—with inset stainless steel plaques bearing the names of donors. To learn more about making a donation or naming opportunities, contact Kajsa James at 949.496.2274, ext. 415. More information about the Ocean Institute can be found online at www.ocean-institute.org. DP www.danapointtimes.com
DP SOAPBOX Dana Point
VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS
GUEST OPINION: By Bill Brough, State Assembly 73rd District
Looking Back and Moving Forward
F
ellow residents, thank you for the honor and privilege to serve as your Dana Point city councilman. Serving and working with the great people of our community has been rewarding and I consider it one of my highest honors. Before continuing to work for you as your state representative, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some thoughts and highlights about our great city. Over the last four years, I believe Dana Point has experienced some of the most productive times in Bill Brough our city’s short history. When facing economic challenges during the economic downturn, we rose to meet them by taking decisive measures like reviving Town Center, creating better transportation solutions and enacting tougher safeguards to protect our beaches, which are part of the backbone of our economy and quality of life. In my opinion, the council’s failure to act on these challenges would have created more harm than good for our city, which is why I commend my council colleagues for all their hard work and dedication. Here are a few highlights of our accomplishments: ECONOMIC GROWTH Town Center The council revived our Town Center plan, which had sat dormant since 2008. In 2013, we re-engineered the plan, saving millions by removing recycled water lines and installing drought tolerant date palms. The change also meant that
we did not have to jack hammer 18 inches of concrete from under Del Prado. The PCH phase was completed this year—under time and under budget— without having to borrow or bond. Although Town Center is a $17 million investment, we kept our designated reserves intact and still have a half a year’s budget in our savings. I am proud to have worked with Councilmen Carlos Olvera and Steven Weinberg to get Town Center done. As a result, property owners are investing in their property and the vision of new shops and restaurants is happening. TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS Town Center parking Our consultant found that there is not a lack of parking, with 1,200 spots available on our busiest day. We adopted an in-lieu parking program and are working with property owners to coordinate parking. The city continues to work with the coastal commission to finalize the plan. PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY AND BEACHES Redistricting The original plan split our community in half. We were successful in persuading the commission to keep our city whole. This important action helped protect our city. Doheny Beach After years, we have made significant progress and have been successful in addressing the bacteria problem. Quiet Zone We implemented the Quiet Zone at the Beach Road crossing. Vacation rentals—After seven years of discussion, the council adopted an ordinance that allows people to rent their
private property, which had previously been prohibited. It included allowing home owner association rules to supersede the ordinance. Homeless Task Force A group of business representatives, religious leaders, nonprofit organizations, and social advocates that were assembled this year have worked hard on solutions to the homeless issue; and, there has been significant progress. It’s been a productive four years, but there is more we can do. As government and community leaders, we must never fall under the cloud of complacency. As a public servant, I have and will always believe, it’s not just about starting projects, it’s about finishing them. Moving forward, we must always continue to hold our government more accountable with higher transparency and the highest level of community involvement possible. As the new city council begins their term, I am confident the right people are in place to get the job done. Although I now will be working for you in Sacramento, Dana Point is our home. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you. Happy holidays, and I’ll see you around town. Bill Brough was elected to the Dana Point City Council in 2010. In November he was elected to serve on the State Assembly representing the 73rd District, filling the seat vacated by Diane Harkey, who termed out. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com
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Letters to the Editor KEEP SAN CLEMENTE’S HOSPITAL FOR ALL OF AREA RUTH CLARK, San Juan Capistrano
To the city councils and residents of Dana Point, Capistrano Beach and San Juan Capistrano: San Clemente Hospital— and its emergency room—are important to all of us. It is staffed by excellent doctors and nurses. It is close and easy to get to for ambulances and local people (Plus free parking). Many lives have been saved due to its easy access and convenience. Minutes can make the difference between Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
life and death. Other hospitals are miles and time away. It is the only local hospital not under Catholic Church control which is important for contraceptive and secular patients. As our area grows, and it will, we need a local hospital; we have always been the neglected triangle area of south Orange County. Mission Hospital is large and like a factory. I have been a patient at Laguna Mission and San Clemente and I have had the best care and life-saving care at San Clemente Hospital, plus they have a chef and the food is great, which is important in recovery. Good food is great for patient morale and something to look forward to, as basically, hospital life is not where we want to be—and rather boring—between tests and treatments. Please support saving San Clemente Hospital. Write a letter to MemorialCare:
17360 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 and support the San Clemente City Council. You can email all of the members: CityCouncil@san-clemente. org. Or send a letter to: San Clemente City Council, San Clemente City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente, CA 92672. We all need San Clemente Hospital and emergency care.
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@ danapointtimes.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.
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Dana Point Times, Vol. 7, Issue 50. The DP Times (www. danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (www.sanclementetimes. com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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DP GETTING OUT Dana Point
YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER
The List What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF
Friday | 12 MERMADE MARKET 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The second semi-annual Mermade Market handmade-only craft bazaar features original crafts unique to this show. You will find fine art, holiday gifts, jewelry, décor, candles, textiles and more. Dec. 11-13. Event is free to attend. Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan Avenue, Dana Point, www.mermademarket.com.
MARINE MAMMAL CRUISE 10 a.m. Join the Ocean Institute aboard the 70-foot RV Sea Explorer for an opportunity to see whales, fish, dolphins, sea lions and other wildlife along the Southern California coast. $35 for adults, $22 for children 4-12. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org. SON OF GOD 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. South Shores Church presents Son of God, featuring the 75 Voice Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra under the direction of Robert T. Perry. Tickets are $10. South Shores Church, 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach, 949.496.9331.
EDITOR’S PICK
FANTASEA HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13. Boaters from all over Orange County parade through the Dana Point Harbor aboard boats decorated with festive lights and other displays. Entrants vie for prizes in this 40th annual event. View the parade free from anywhere in the Harbor at waters’ edge. Dana Point Harbor Drive, www.danapointharbor.com. MIKE HAMILTON 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Enjoy live music at Salt Creek Grille each Friday with guitarist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Hamilton. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.mikehamiltonmusic.com. URINETOWN THE MUSICAL 7 p.m. The South Orange County School of the Arts presents Urinetown the Musical on Dec. 10, 11, 12 and 13. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Porthole Theater, Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, www.socsarts.org. A CHRISTMAS CAROL 8 p.m. The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future lead Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m., Sunday performances at 2 p.m. Runs until Sunday Dec. 21. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.
Saturday | 13 DANA POINT FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Seasonal produce, flowers and much more at La Plaza Park each Saturday. 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org. Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
bring their baby along to the theater every Monday at Krikorian Theaters. 641 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente, 949.661.7610, www.kptmovies.com. PJ STORYTIME WITH SUNSHINE READERS 7 p.m-8 p.m. Reading event for children off all ages, pajamas wearing encouraged but not required, at the Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.
Tuesday | 16 OPEN MIC NIGHT 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perfom at the Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument, bring your voice, The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.
Wednesday | 17 CAPO BEACH FARMERS MARKET 3 p.m.–7 p.m. Visit the area’s latest weekly market where locally-grown, organic produce and regional artisans are featured. Capo Beach Church, 25975 Domingo Ave., 949.573.5033, www.danapoint.org.
Photo: Andrea Swayne
SANTA PAWS 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Pet Project Foundation is hosting the third annual Santa Paws event. Bring your pet and have their picture taken with Santa for a small fee. All proceeds go to support the Pet Project Foundation. 34642 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, 949.496.6177, www.petprojectfoundation.com.
Sunday | 14 WINTER WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m-7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Jan. 20. See more events at www.danawharf.com. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603.
Monday | 15 MOMMY MOVIE MONDAYS 10 a.m. Moms and dads are welcome to
NEWPORT BEACH CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Newport Harbor transforms into an illuminated wonderland as more than 100 vessels decorated with lights parade its waterways for the 106th annual event. Runs through Dec. 21. Reserved seat viewing is available at The Newport Sea Base and ExploreOcean. Newport Blvd. (Balboa Peninsula), Newport Beach, 949.729.4400, www.christmasboatparade.com.
Thursday | 18 CAPT. DAVE’S WHALE WATCHING Times vary. Trips available every day of the week. Get up close to marine life aboard a Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari trip. Prices vary depending on the vessel. Call for more information. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.
NIGHTLY THROUGH JANUARY 4 ILLUMINOCEAN HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Dana Point Harbor will be lit up with holiday lighting displays including 22 large-scale oceaninspired holiday sculptures and 23 miles of glowing LED strands. The event is free and will be held through January 4. Dana Point Harbor Drive, www.mydanapoint.com.
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Photo: Courtesy Fox Searchlight
At the Movies: Go ‘Wild’ with Reese BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES
A
fter the global acclaim and awards for Sean Penn’s Into the Wild (2007) and Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours (2010), it was only a matter of time before the female perspective of the wilderness would occur. The actress up to the challenge became Reese Witherspoon in Jean-Marc Vallée’s Wild. Based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of her cross country hike in 1995, the film is a big return to and reminder of Witherspoon’s gutsy, indie roots before becoming America’s sweetheart. After Cheryl (Witherspoon) and her husband Paul (Thomas Sadoski) divorce, she makes the crazy decision to hike the Pacific Coast Trail all by herself. Realizing she still hasn’t recovered from her mother’s (Laura Dern) death or her years as a drug addict, Cheryl thinks she needs to completely breakaway to move on. Along the way we see her struggle and fight along the desert and woods, and recount her life thus far. W. Earl Brown and Gaby Hoffmann co-star. Fresh off of Dallas Buyers Club, Vallée chooses another biopic to direct Witherspoon. With copious amounts of foul language, sex, drug use, and emotional and physical pain, Wild is the most ambitious project of the Oscarwinning star since American Psycho 14 years earlier. Dern and Hoffmann are good as Cheryl’s life support, while Vallée succeeds in penning, what could be Witherspoon’s second Oscar nominated performance. Behind Laggies and Gone Girl, Wild is one of the greatest female leads film of 2014. DP
For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.danapointtimes.com. Have an event? Send your listing to events@danapointtimes.com www.danapointtimes.com
DP DP LIVING Dana Point
PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY GUEST OPINION: Reading with Wright by Chris Wright
Surf’s Up in Irvine Catch a wave at the OCPLs’ annual literary festival
I
Blue Lantern Inn. Photo: Andrea Swayne
DEL PRADO BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
The Blue Lantern Family Downtown inn upholds relaxed, personal experience with longtime staff BY THE CITY OF DANA POINT, SPECIAL TO THE DANA POINT TIMES
S
itting atop Dana Point’s bluffs is a quaint haven with a New England feel—fittingly designed for the city bearing the name of Massachusetts native Richard Henry Dana Jr. The Blue Lantern Inn opened its doors in 1990. Situated at the end of Blue Lantern Street, this 29-room boutique hotel packages the warmth, comfort and amenities of home into a seaside getaway. Since opening, the inn has remained relatively unchanged but has undergone modifications as its revamped bathrooms have been joined by Wi-Fi upgrades and high-definition televisions throughout the hotel. They are seemingly small updates that have enhanced the Blue Lantern’s simple allure and kept visitors coming back, said Lin McMahon, Dana Point resident and 19-year manager of the Blue Lantern. “I don’t think we could duplicate our feel anywhere else,” McMahon said, of the Blue Lantern Inn—one of 16 hotels Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
under the direction of Four Sisters Inns, which manages boutique inns throughout California. And although many of the Four Sisters’ locations offer similar sweeping Pacific Ocean views, the Blue Lantern Inn has set itself apart when it comes to serving its guests. Since opening, the small inn has seen little staff member turnover—creating a family feel amongst employees. In fact, the inn has employed family members from the start including two of McMahon’s children, who attended Dana Hills High School, and a local family of three generations that saw grandpa, Frank, in maintenance, mom, Virginia, as chef and now son and grandson, Conor, as a houseman. “I am really very blessed with my staff because most of them have been here from three to seven, eight or nine years.” McMahon said of the Blue Lantern’s 30 full- and part-time employees, many living locally. McMahon estimates that 60 percent of the inn’s guests are repeat visitors who have not only taken a liking to the Blue Lantern Inn but also to Dana Point’s offerings. BLUE LANTERN INN 34343 Street of the Blue Lantern 800.950.1236 www.bluelanterninn.com Page 12
t may be Christmas but in April the surf will be up in Irvine at the Irvine Marriott on Saturday, April 11, 2015. Literary Orange, Orange County Public Libraries’ annual literary festival, is going to have a panel of authors who not only live to surf but who love to write about it too. It’s called Surferati appropriately enough and will delve into surfing in both fiction and non-fiction. And you can still catch the morning waves because Surferati won’t be happening until 1:20 p.m. So you should be able to both physically and figuratively catch a wave that day. We’ve recently lost some surfing legends in the past year and perhaps it’s fitting we should reflect on the contributions of these icons to not only a sport but also a way of life. Our Surferati panel has legends of its own as well. Paul Holmes, a former editor of Surfer magazine, recently published his beautiful biography of Hobie Alter, Hobie: Wizard of Wind and Waves. David Rensin who writes on just about every topic under the sun will discuss his book about surf legend Miki Dora in All for a Few Perfect Waves. We also have surf journalist and author, Kevin Naughton, whose travel writing for Surfer magazine in the 1970s and ’80s was much acclaimed. He has also written a surf-themed coming of age novel for young adults, Trout Rising. Finally we have the king of what could be called “surf noir,” Kem Nunn, whose novels some think are as cold and dark as the ocean off our coast. All these surfing authors will be
moderated by the editor of the Surfer’s Journal, Scott Hulett, so there shouldn’t be any translating needed. Dude, where’s my wave? It’s in Irvine. That’s a fact, man. The eighth annual READING WITH WRIGHT Literary Orange is By Chris Wright set for Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Irvine Marriott. In January 2015, you should be able to register online at www.literaryorange.org or pick up a registration form at the library. Log on to the website and enter your email address to receive automatic updates and a reminder when registration opens. For more information about upcoming events at the Dana Point Public Library as well as across the Orange County Public Libraries system, visit the website at www.ocpl.org. The site also provides access to online databases, digital copies of popular magazines, pdf copies of historical sheet music, ebooks, audiobooks, jobseeker resources and more. Chris Wright is not sure if he lives to read or if he reads to live. He has been a public librarian with the OC Public Libraries since 2006. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@ danapointtimes.com
PET OF THE WEEK: SAMI
W
hy hello there. My name is Sami and I am looking for a new home for the
holidays. I am very well behaved and only 5 years old. My hobbies include hanging out with my dog pals and playing outside. And I simply love going on long strolls with a friend by my side. Won’t you be my new walking buddy? If you would like to know more about Sami, please call the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617 or stop by the shelter to visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante in San Clemente. DP www.danapointtimes.com
DP LIVING GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake
Finding Love After 75 is Possible Age shouldn’t be a cause to give up
S
ingles ages 50 to 80 often say to me, “I’m too old to meet somebody.” I tell them they are wrong. Today I share three stories of how couples in their mid70s found love. These stories were sent to me this week by subscribers to my weekly “On Life and Love After 50” online newsletter. The subscribers reside throughout the USA, Canada and in many foreign countries. Zoe of Glastonbury, England, emailed: “The actress Dame Judi Dench turns 80 on Dec. 9. When Michael Williams, her beloved husband of 30 years, died in 2001, it never occurred to her to think of another man in her life.” “But fate, in the guise of a few red squirrels, changed that. A neighbor, David Mills, has established the British Wildlife Center. He invited Dame Judi to the opening of a new accommodation for his red squirrels. Their relationship started from there. She was 76 and he was 68.” “They are seen everywhere together but both lead busy lives and live in their separate homes. We aren’t all Judi Dench, of course, but she met the right man by doing just what you, Tom, always recommend to older singles—moving outside the comfort zone and doing something new. I doubt that Dame Judi had opening a home for red squirrels on her agenda as a stage set for romance.” Another subscriber, Carm, 75, a Jackson, Mich., high school classmate of mine, spends six months each year living in Barra, Mexico, about four hours south of Puerto Vallarta. A year ago, a relationship he was involved in for several years ended. Carm emailed, “I have a new (and last) girlfriend here in Barra. She’s recently widowed but we’ve known each other for
seven years. She has lived here for 14 years. She’s originally from England but moved to Canada in her early 30s and has been in Mexico for 18 years. A year older than me and so fine. “She has a house to sell, then we’re off to Italy for a month. When we return, we’ll be searching for a new town in Mexico to live -- likely Oaxaca. I’m very happy.” A third newsletter reader, Rich, also 75, described how he recently found love: “As a widower of three years, I attended a sketching and painting program in Northern Wisconsin in September. I met Rose, a widow my age, who is a watercolor artist, photographer, birder with a quick wit and a huge ON LIFE AND sense of humor. LOVE AFTER 50 “We found, as two acBy Tom Blake tive, upbeat persons, that we had many common interests and views which lead to a strong attraction. We accept each other as we find each other now, not comparing our current relationship to what we had with our spouses. Rose lives in Iowa while I am in the suburbs of Chicago, 300 miles apart. “We split time between the two locations. We would never have met if we did not follow our artistic interests in a group setting. Rose is my love for the rest of my live. Happy does not begin to describe the joy we both feel.” Is 75 too old to find love? No, as these three couples discovered. When people get out of the house and pursue outside interests, they dramatically improve their chances of finding romance. And as the band Pablo Cruise sang in the 1970s, “Love will find a way.” To sign up for my complimentary newsletter, go to the home page of www. findingloveafter50.com or email me at tompblake@gmail.com. Tom Blake is a San Clemente resident and Dana Point business owner who has authored three books on middle-aged dating. For dating information: www.FindingLoveAfter50.com. To comment: tompblake@ gmail.com. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com
Sudoku BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:
Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
See today’s solution in next week’s issue.
Page 13
DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point
STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE
Dolphin Report
balls’ Charlie Rounaghi hit a 3-pointer to seal a 45-42 nonleague victory for the Breakers on Dec. 10. The Breakers were able to dig into the Dolphins lead in the fourth quarter, outscoring the visitors 14-7 in the final minutes. The loss was the Dolphins (1-4) fourth in a row, following a season opening win over St. Margaret’s in the Diablo Inferno Tournament. Dana Hills went 1-3 at the tournament, held at Mission Viejo High School, dropping games to El Modena, Esperanza and Temecula Valley, respectively. The Dolphins will host former league rival Laguna Hills on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., before competing in the Irvine World News Tournament next week.
BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES
For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the Dana Hills High School sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.
Dolphins Wrestling Upsets Tritons The South Coast League wrestling schedule is about as tough as it gets. Three teams in the five-member league are ranked inside the CIF-SS Coastal Division top-10 poll and on Dec. 9, the league showed its considerable depth. Sixth-ranked San Clemente traveled to play rival Dana Hills and the Dolphins, the unranked team who placed third in-league last year, pulled off a 36-30 upset victory. It was the first time Dana Hills had defeated San Clemente since 2003. Sammy Plumb pulled off the biggest win of the night for the Dolphins. Plumb needed a victory in his match to seal the win and he ended up pinning his opponent. “We wrestled well as a team and our guys showed up … We were hungry to win,” Dana Hills head coach Reza Abedi said via email. Up next for Dana Hills will be a trip to compete in the La Costa Canyon Tournament from Dec. 12-13.
With Limited Roster, Dolphins Soccer Takes on Tritons The starting 11 for the Dana Hills boys soccer team that took the field at Thalassa Stadium Dec. 10 for a nonleague game against San Clemente is not what head coach Leo Compean had envisioned several weeks ago. The Dolphins have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, forcing Compean to go to his bench early to give younger players valuable experience. Dana Hills (0-3) held close in the first half against the Tritons, but San Clemente opened the flood gates in the second half, powering their way to a 4-1 victory over their regional rivals. The Dolphins, who have lost three in a row, were without standout forward Paul Romero, Cameron Kaemerle and Spencer Madden. All three players were pegged to be useful contributors to this Dolphins team. Dana Hills began the season with 20 players but due to the host of injuries, there are only 12 currently available to suit up. Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
Dolphins Girls Soccer Opens Aliso Cup with Win
Dana Hills’ Connor Murphy scored the lone Dolphins goal in a 4-1 loss to San Clemente on Dec. 10. Photo: Steve Breazeale
“We’re scrambling right now. We are down to bare bones … The silver lining is that we now know what we have. We know our depth chart and what we have to work on. When our starters do come back and work their way back into our system, it’s only going to make us stronger,” Compean said. “As bad as it feels to come off with a loss like that … there’s always a silver lining and that’s what we’re looking at, that future when we’re healthy again. In the first half, the Tritons (3-1) held a good amount of possession, but struggled to break through the aggressive Dana Hills defensive line. The Tritons were called offside numerous times through the first 20 minutes, until senior Eddie Molina corralled a ball down the wing and whipped in a cross to forward Matias Ledesma, who buried the shot to give San Clemente a 1-0 lead 26 minutes in. The Tritons nearly added another goal just before the half, but Dolphins goalie Humberto Loya made a diving save on a headed corner attempt to keep the onegoal deficit intact. San Clemente came out more organized in their offensive third in the second half, which made it tough goings for Loya and the Dolphins defense. Although the Tritons began to pour the shots on goal, Loya was up to the task. The sophomore faced a point-blank try in the opening minute of the second half and had to face a Ledesma penalty kick five minutes later. Ledesma converted to get his second goal on the night and give the Tritons a 2-0 lead. Liam McVicar added another goal for San Clemente at the 55-mintue mark.
scrambling right “now.We’re We are down to bare
bones … The silver lining is that we now know what we have. When our starters do come back and work their way back into our system, it’s only going to make us stronger.
”
—Leo Compean
Dana Hills drew a penalty shot in the 73rd minute and senior Connor Murphy hit it home to get the Dolphins on the board, 3-1. Up 4-1, the Tritons were awarded another penalty kick in stoppage but this time, Loya sniffed it out, making his eighth and final save of the night. “(Loya) was our player of the game tonight. Last year, as a freshman, he got seven goals scored on him against (San Clemente) and they took it to us,” Compean said. “It was a confidence game for him … to make that (penalty kick) save was really good for his confidence.”
Dolphins Basketball Loses Late to Breakers With 26 seconds to go in a tie game with Dana Hills, Laguna Beach boys basket-
Page 15
The Dana Hills girls soccer team made their opening bid in the Aliso Cup Tournament a successful one Dec. 10 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Los Alamitos in the opening game of Pool G. Sophie Gullickson, Elizabeth Durst and Olivia Sirianni scored for the Dolphins, while goalie Kristen Ahmann had six saves. Dana Hills improved to 1-0-1 on the season with the victory.
Girls Hoops Gains Traction with Victories After dropping their first two games of the season, the Dana Hills girls basketball team has found success in recent weeks, going on a 3-1 run over their last four games. The Dolphins defeated Laguna Beach as part of the Corona del Mar Tip-Off Tournament, then rattled off a 62-34 win over Santa Ana on Dec. 5, setting a season-high mark in points scored. A loss to Northwood on Dec. 6 was followed by a 31-19 win over Saddleback on Dec. 9 in the Ocean View Tournament. The Dolphins will host Irvine in a nonleague game on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.
Water Polo in Tournament Mode The Dana Hills girls water polo team went 2-1 over the weekend at Valencia High School, defeating Yorba Linda and Redondo while losing to Valhalla. The Dolphins hosted Martin Luther King High School on Dec. 10 in a nonleague game and narrowly lost, 9-8. Madison Baba scored five goals while Sydney Baba added three in the loss. Dana Hills will compete in the Villa Park Tournament this weekend. www.danapointtimes.com
DP LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS
DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet
AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING
Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com
ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING
Nona AssociatesRaymond J. Nona A.I.A
26901 Camino de Estrella, 949.496.2275, www.raynona.com
AUTO REPAIR
Dana Point Auto
34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086
CAFE - DELI
Coffee Importers Espresso Bar
34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com
COFFEE SHOP
Coffee Importers Espresso Bar
34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100! Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com.
Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
DANCE/FITNESS
Club Salsa Dance Studio
34202 Camino Capistrano Capistrano Beach, 949.230.0543, www.clubsalsadance.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
IMAGES/Creative Solutions
117 Del Gado Road, 949.366.2488, www.imgs.com
ICE CREAM
Coffee Importers Scoop Deck
34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com
INSURANCE SERVICES
Patricia Powers
24551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, 949.496.1900, pat.powers@cox.net
BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT
YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!
Statefarm/Elaine LaVine
34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net
LOCKSMITH
Dana Point Lock & Security
949.496.6916, www.danapointlock.com
Dawgy Style
34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 112, 949.496.3315, www.alphadoggroomshop.com
PLUMBING
Chick’s Plumbing
949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com
POOL SERVICE & REPAIR
Palisades Pool Service & Repair
Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.
949.542.7232, allenesommo@cox.net
Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com
Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT
PSYCHOTHERAPY 33971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, 949.488.2648, www.danapointpsychotherapy.com
REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL
State Farm/Ted Bowersox
34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204, 949.661.3200, www.tedbowersox.com
PET GROOMING
MUSIC INSTRUCTION
Danman’s Music School
24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com
Kenny’s Music & Guitars
24731 La Plaza, 949.661.3984, www.kennysmusicstore.com
Page 16
Dream Team Properties, Mike Rosenberg, Broker 949.481.1788, www.FindMyOCHome.com
UPHOLSTERY
Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors 34212 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit C, 949.240.9569 www.jeddys.com
Locals Only Buisness Listings
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CLASSIFIEDS
Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com FITNESS EQUIPMENT PILATES REFORMER Black Aero pilates reformer. Folds up for easy storage. Great workout at home. $175. 949.533.9761
FOR SALE CASH REGISTER Cash Register for sale-All in working order. Great for a small or new business. Keys included. $60. Please contact: 949.933.0122 HARLEY HANDLE BARS Chrome, 8-inch, T Bars (drag specialties). Slight curve back. $70. Can send pictures. Text or call 949-633-3860 for more info. BED FRAME Metal bed frame. Adjustable for all sizes. $35/ obo. New condition. 949.533.9761
GARAGE SALE GARAGE SALE FRIDAY 2PM-4PM 34431 camino Capistrano, capistrano beach -ceiling fans, built in closet, clothes, and more.
GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@danapointtimes.com Deadline 5 p.m. Monday. No phone calls please.
LOST/FOUND LOST BLACK CAT WITH BLUE COLLAR. His name is Tavi. Please call or text 949-701-1301. Granddaughter is heartbroken.
SERVICES LOCAL HOUSEKEEPER OR OFFICE CLEANING Reliable, affordable, meticulous. Excellent references. 949-573-8733
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PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or email lloynes@danapointtimes.com
Page 17
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DP DP SURF Dana Point
DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:
SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY
A Mystery at the Surf Museum
RESULTS
Murph the Surf’s ‘Parole Board’ at Surfing Heritage to be featured on ‘Mysteries at the Museum’ BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES
T
he Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente will be featured on the Friday, Dec. 12 episode of The Travel Channel show “Mysteries at the Museum.” One of the show’s three segments, “The Heist of the Century,” tells the story of Jack “Murph the Surf” Murphy, Alan Kuhn and Roger Clark pulling off one of the most notorious jewel heists in history. The three stole the Star of India, a 563.35-carat, nearly flawless star sapphire along with dozens of other jewels from the J.P. Morgan jewel collection on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The de Long Ruby and the Eagle Diamond were among the precious gems stolen in the 1964 burglary. The SHACC museum is now home to a surfboard, shaped by Phil Edwards, that was given to Murphy when he was released from prison after serving 21 months of a three-year sentence. The board is signed by Ronald Patterson, Sandy Banks, Danny Brawner and Flea, who all had a hand in its production, said Barry Haun, curator at SHACC. “We’re very excited to be part of the Travel Channel’s show and to have both our founder, Dick Metz and the surfboard that was given to Jack Murphy upon his release from prison, featured in the episode,” Haun said. “By no means do we condone any sort of criminal behavior,
Surfers Jack “Murph the Surf” Murphy and Dick Catri are shown here in January at Surf Expo in Florida with Murphy’s “Parole Board.” Photo: Sharon Marshall
but we do acknowledge that this was part of both surfing and America’s history regarding the highest profile jewel theft caper to have taken place in the US.” Murphy was convicted of murder and another jewel theft in 1968 and sentenced to life in prison but was paroled in 1986. He is now an ordained minister in prison ministry. His story was the subject of the 1975 movie, Murph the Surf. The surfboard and its history can be seen at SHACC, 110 Calle Iglesia in San Clemente. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and for groups, by appointment. For more information, call 949.388.0313 or log on to www.surfingheritage.org. DP
GROM OF THE WEEK
COLE MEZAK Cole Mezak, 12, of San Juan Capistrano, is ready to return to competition after taking a two-year hiatus to free surf and travel. His first foray back into surf contests came Sunday at the Western Surfing Association event at the San Clemente Pier. Cole said his return was prompted by missing his friends who surf competitively and the desire to keep challenging himself to improve. Although he was on the alternate list and didn’t make it into the event, he is excited and committed to finishing the second half of the season. “Contests help me progress,” he said. “Seeing the other kids doing better tricks than me makes me want to get better. I like the challenge of WSA contests. There are a lot of good surfers and everybody is so nice.” Cole’s travels have taken him to Hawaii, Dana Point Times December 12–18, 2014
Cole Mezak. Photo: Hao Blake Chang
Costa Rica and Mexico. He left for his next adventure to Hawaii on Thursday to surf at Velzyland on Oahu’s North Shore. “Velzyland gets really fun and you can get some airs on the inside,” Cole said. A seventh-grader at La Paz Middle School, Cole tries to utilize a tutorial period during the school day to finish his homework to keep his grades in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ range and so that he can surf after school as many days per week as possible. Cole has been surfing since the age of
WSA Championship Tour Event No. 5, December 6-7, San Clemente, Pier MICRO GROM BOYS U9: 1. Eli Park, Carlsbad; 2. Maddox Bray, San Clemente; 3. Hudson Saunders, Laguna Beach; 4. Brady Hurley, Laguna Niguel; 5. Shane Stacy, Dana Point; 6. Peyton Shaw, San Clemente. MICRO GROM GIRLS U10: 1. Jenna Clark, La Mesa; 2. Sawyer Lindblad, San Clemente; 3. Mara Morales, Huntington Beach; 4. Bella Kenworthy, Dana Point; 5. Malia Callahan, Ventura; 6. Lauren Anderson, Long Beach. BOYS/ GIRLS U10: 1. Hayden Rodgers, Laguna Beach; 2. Dane Matson, San Clemente; 3. Cole McCaffray, Cardiff by the Sea; 4. Makai Bray, San Clemente; 5. Lucas Owston, Oceanside; 6. Hudson Saunders, Laguna Beach. BOYS U12: 1. Monnojyo Yahagi, Kanagawa, Japan; 2. Levi Slawson, Encinitas; 3. Nicholas Coli, San Clemente; 4. Noa Dupouy, Mimizan, France; 5. Hayden Rodgers, Laguna Beach; 6. Sam Piter, Seignosse, France. BOYS U14: 1. Ryan Martin, San Clemente; 2. Hagan Johnson, San Clemente; 3. Ethan Mudge, Capistrano Beach; 4. Taro Watanabe, Malibu; 5. Levi Slawson, Encinitas; 6. Caleb Crozier, Encinitas. BOYS U16: 1. Riaru Ito, Miyazaki, Japan; 2. Ben Seaberry, Huntington Beach; 3. Gavin Doan, Carlsbad; 4. David Economos, San Clemente; 5. Parker Cohn, Newport Beach; 6. Hagan Johnson, San Clemente. BOYS U18: 1. Kei Kobayashi, San Clemente; 2. Ethan Grant, Carlsbad; 3. Christopher Kervin, Newport Beach; 4. Nathan Young, Fountain Valley; 5. Ben Seaberry, Huntington Beach; 6. Jake Wetzel, Carlsbad. GIRLS U12: 1. Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad; 2. Mathea Dempfle - Olin, Tofino, B.C., Canada; 3. Bryce Ava Wettstein, Encinitas; 4. Jenna Clark, La Mesa; 5. Ella McCaffray, Cardiff-by-theSea; 6. Hannah Dunfee, San Diego. GIRLS U14: 1. Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad; 2. Kirra Pinkerton, San Clemente; 3. Kayla Coscino, Laguna Beach; 4. Mathea Dempfle - Olin, Tofino, B.C., Canada; 5. Chiasa Maruyama, Huntington Beach; 6. Sydney Tisdel, Carlsbad. GIRLS U16: 1. Kiersten Noonan, Encinitas; 2. Kayla Coscino, Laguna Beach; 3. Peyton Slater, Vista; 4. Sydney Tisdel, Carlsbad; 5. Coral McDuffee, Oceanside; 6. Cameron Duby, San Juan Capistrano. GIRLS U18: 1. Maya Saulino, San Marcos; 2. Cameron Duby, San Juan Capistrano; 3. Kiersten Noonan, Encinitas; 4. Sierra Garcia, Long Beach; 5. DaniRose Hill, San Diego; 6. Emily Flavin, Santa Monica. BOYS LONGBOARD U14: 1. Ben Kappes, Laguna Niguel; 2. Jimmy Wynne, San Clemente; 3. Jameson Roller, Laguna Beach; 4. Jack Collins, San Clemente; 5. Johnathan La Pointe, San Juan Capistrano; 6. Riley Branom, Dana Point. JR. LONGBOARD U18: 1. Trevor Anderberg, Encinitas; 2. Andrew Neal, Manhattan Beach; 3. Kevin Skvarna, San Juan Capistrano; 4. Kaimana Takayama, San Clemente; 5. Benjamin Goldstein, Carlsbad; 6. Ben Kappes, Laguna
two, when he started riding waves on the nose of his dad’s board and he can’t imagine a life without it. “It’s just fun and lets you get away,” he said. “Surfing just makes me my own person. It’s good self-expression and takes away stress. And it gets my muscles going, makes me stronger. And I like the adrenaline rush.” When asked what he thinks taking time off from contests did for his surfing, Cole said the freedom has been good for his skills and his quest for a future career as a professional surfer—either free surfing or on the World Tour. “My snaps have more power and I’m boosting airs more frequently now,” Cole said, adding that throughout his break from competition his sponsors have continued to be supportive. “I’d like to thanks my sponsors Hurley, Killer Dana, Timmy Patterson and Mud Energy and my parents too, for their support.”—Andrea Swayne
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Niguel. GIRLS LONGBOARD U14: 1. Mathea Dempfle Olin, Tofino, B.C., Canada; 2. Liv Stokes, Aliso Viejo; 3. Izzy Hopkins, Dana Point; 4. Betsey Lee, Topanga; 5. Lexi Morgan, San Clemente; 6. Malia Mauch, San Clemente. GIRLS LONGBOARD U18: 1. Taylor Bruynzeel, Newbury Park; 2. Cameron Duby, San Juan Capistrano; 3. Lucy Jarrard, Carlsbad; 4. Cate Stokes, Aliso Viejo; 5. Betsey Lee, Topanga; 6. Hana McEvilly, Carlsbad. MEN 18-29: 1. Aaron Jessee, San Clemente; 2. Anthony Segura, Lompoc; 3. Colin Andersen, Santa Barbara; 4. Evan Sandison, Laguna Niguel; 5. Max Iscakis, Woodland Hills; 6. Ruiji Nagai, Ibaragi, Japan. MASTERS 30-39: 1. Paul Pugliesi, Oceanside; 2. Philip Salick, Los Angeles; 3. Michael Graney, Carlsbad; 4. Jonathan Warren, Huntington Beach; 5. Tom Oatmeal Lusk, Torrance; 6. Tyler Benoit, Ucluelet, B.C., Canada. SENIOR MEN 40-49: 1. Rick Takahashi, San Diego; 2. Donald Day, Topanga; 3. Erik Krammer, Oceanside; 4. Pedro Diaz Rangel, Oceanside; 5. Vincent Duprat, Encinitas; 6. Neil Bern, Carlsbad. LEGENDS 50-59: 1. Rusty Phillipy, Cardiff-by-the-Sea; 2. Jeff Jessee, San Clemente; 3. Dave Hansberry, Los Alamitos; 4. Brent Jessee, San Clemente; 5. Masaki Kobayashi, San Clemente; 6. Troy Campbell, Torrance. OPEN MEN: 1. Kei Kobayashi, San Clemente; 2. Cody Canzoneri, San Clemente; 3. Parker Cohn, Newport Beach; 4. Aaron Jessee, San Clemente; 5. Shannon Brown, Tofino, B.C., Canada; 6. Vincent Duprat, Encinitas. OPEN WOMEN: 1. Brooke Daigneault, Huntington Beach; 2. Samantha Lamirand, Cardiff-by-the-Sea; 3. Allie Frost, San Juan Capistrano; 4. Morgan Gore, Mendham, NJ; 5. Jordan Wible, Manhattan Beach; 6. Emma Roll, Santa Monica. OPEN MEN LONGBOARD: 1. Kaimana Takayama, San Clemente; 2. Nick Anderberg, Encinitas; 3. Kevin Skvarna, San Juan Capistrano; 4. Trevor Anderberg, Encinitas; 5. Koby Gilchrist, Encinitas; 6. Dave Schaefer, Hermosa Beach. OPEN WOMEN LONGBOARD: 1. Liv Stokes, Aliso Viejo; 2. Isabella Gilchrist, Cardiff-by-the-Sea; 3. Maddie LoMonaco, Santa Monica; 4. Katelyn Springer, Newport Beach; 5. Keili McEvilly, Carlsbad; 6. Niki Katz, Hidden Hills. SR. MEN LONGBOARD 40+: 1. Dave Schaefer, Hermosa Beach; 2. Benjamin Murphey, San Diego; 3. Troy Campbell, Torrance; 4. Larry Casas, Huntington Beach. ADAPTIVE SURFERS: 1. Chris Oberle, Los Angeles; 2. Charles Webb, Oceanside; 3. Mark Thornton, Carlsbad.
UPCOMING EVENTS December 13-14: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 3, Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach December 20-21: NSSA Open Event No. 6, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Seaside Reef January 10-11: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 4, Santa Cruz, Steamer Lane January 17-18: WSA Championship Tour Event No. 6, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty January 17-18: NSSA Explorer, Events No. 3 and 4, Huntington Beach, Pier
SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 64-66 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-12’ Poor+Fair Thursday and Friday: Building new west-northwest swell with chest-head+ high surf and better sets (4-6’+) at exposed spots, showing strongest in north OC, where standouts see larger sets to several feet overhead (7-8’+). Light wind and clean conditions Thursday morning, but a deep 5.2’ high tide slows down most spots through the second half of the morning. Light+ moderate onshores for the Thursday afternoon. Stormy weather on Friday for poor conditions. Longer Range Outlook: West-northwest swell combo eases over the weekend as weather and conditions improve. More swell setting up for early next week. Check out Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook!
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